#1
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Talk to me about kelp for dogs/cats on raw diets
So I saw another post here about kelp being a no-no for cats...
and know others use kelp as a supplement for their dogs (I know Macomom does, for example). I can't find great info on the pros/cons, and why kelp should be used as a nutrient source (i.e. iodine, presumably), when it is also found in meat/bone. Can anyone share their wisdom with me, either for dogs OR cats?
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#2
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Actually this subject came up at work a couple of months ago..And I heard nothing but good things about kelp for both cats and dogs as some of my co-workers use it. My brother uses kelp with his GSD.
I had these in my favorites as I was researching it. http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/produc...st/999105.aspx http://www.peteducation.com/article....+1448&aid=1361 http://doggoneglamorous.com/norwegian_kelp.html http://www.casebycasepetservices.com...-kelp-faq.html Hope this helps. It's helped me.
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"A dog can express more with his tail in minutes than his owner can express with his tongue in hours." |
#3
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kelp has a lot of calcium contained in it, so unless you do the analysis of how much it contains and reduce bone to ensure the calcium to phosphorus ratio is 1.2 to 1 for cats, I would NOT add it to cat food. There is no requirement for kelp in a cat's diet.
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#4
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Kelp is often added to pet foods as a cheap source of vitamins/minerals, including the following: iodine, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron and silicon; it's high in vit K and folate, and has small amounts of vit C, riboflavin, vit E, and A. However, the amount of iodine in any given kelp supplement can vary widely, from 45 to 57,000 mcg according to one study. It also potentially contains arsenic, although the amounts aren't usually enough to be toxic.
Where cats are concerned, I just don't think it's worth the risk of hyperthyroidism to be adding it to their diet. Knowing that excessive iodine can also cause hypothyroidism, I don't know if I'd be giving it to dogs either. Some more info: http://www.swedish.org/110979.cfm
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"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler |
#5
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Quote:
I'll be making a few phone calls and see what answers I get.
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"A dog can express more with his tail in minutes than his owner can express with his tongue in hours." |
#6
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Essential in the correct amounts, yes, but too much or too little and there could be problems. It's much rarer to have an insufficient amount of iodine in the diet than it is to have an excess.
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"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler |
#7
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Here's an interesting discussion on the topic: http://www.democraticunderground.com...ress=243x25841
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"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler |
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